Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 17, 2025

Purpose: Agreement for the programme delivery for HSF7 including distribution of holiday food support for those eligible for free school meals.

Content: RESOLVED   KEY DECISION   That the Executive:   a)    Approved the proposed delivery of the Household Support Fund 7;   b)    Approved the proposal to provide:                             i.           Children’s Holiday Food Support with an additional payment for Christmas and Summer back to school basics                         ii.           Warm Spaces                        iii.           Provision of financial support for food and wider essential living costs                        iv.           Winter Energy Support                         v.           a grants programme for VCSE organisations and community groups to support households in crisis, including energy support, food poverty and budget management                        vi.           Discretionary support including individuals who have no recourse to public funds                      vii.           Funding to undertake an evaluation of the delivery of the Household Support Fund programme from April 2023.     c)    Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing in consultation with the Director of Public Health to redistribute any funds that have not been assigned or committed to by 31st March 2026 for:                             i.           Final contribution for Warm Spaces                         ii.           Specific funding for foodbanks to include access to wider essentials and energy support i.e. sanitary and hygiene essentials                        iii.           Contribution to grant holders to assist with additional pressures from the winter support     Reasons for Recommendations:   a)    The proposal in Table 3, paragraph 5.7, sets a clear approach for how the funds will be used to mitigate the impact on residents who have previously received holiday support for children eligible for Free School Meals.   b)    Cessation of holiday support will be aligned with the start of the financial year given the uncertainty of any future iterations of the Household Support Fund, making it clearer for residents to understand the timings of ongoing support coming to a natural end.   c)    Holiday support is aligned with the previous support provided by the Council through the previous iterations of the Household Support Fund.   d)    The provision of vouchers rather than cash to support with food and essential costs via an online application and eligibility assessment process, reduces the risk of fraud and duplicate claims.   e)    Financial support will be available for additional energy costs through the winter when energy usage increases.   f)      Current frameworks, processes, eligibility criteria and online application forms will be used with some minor modifications to deliver the recommendations in Table 3, paragraph 5.7, ensuring support is delivered in accordance with the time restrictions for the fund to end at the end of March 2026.   Alternative Options Considered: Table 1 below outlines an alternative option which has been considered and have been discounted due to the implications to vulnerable families and reputational risk to the Council.   Table 1 – Summary of Alternative Option   Delivery Model Summary Rationale Funds not claimed from DWP to deliver HSF7 The programme ceases to operate. This would mean no further support is provided beyond March 2025. Reputational risk for the Council for not supporting vulnerable and low-income households.